Wade, Short steer 'Canes to victory

The match in a tweet: Wade-inspired Hurricanes keep undefeated record intact by toppling Thunder in the best game of #BBL|08

The score: Sydney Thunder 6-193 (Buttler 89, Green 26no; Rose 2-30) lost to Hobart Hurricanes 3-196 (Wade 85, Short 58, Bailey 23no; Rainbird 2-25) by seven wickets with five balls remaining

The hero: Former Australia gloveman Matthew Wade is in the form of his life, transferring his red-hot JLT Sheffield Shield form into the KFC BBL. The Hobart Hurricanes skipper steered his team to a memorable victory with a magnificent 85 from 49 balls – his highest ever T20 score – as they chased down Sydney Thunder's formidable total with five balls remaining. It was Wade’s second consecutive half-century, backing up his 52 against Melbourne Stars on Christmas Eve and he exploded after a patient start. Wade’s innings included seven boundaries and four sixes and he shared a 120-run opening stand with D’Arcy Short and a 46-run partnership for the second wicket with Ben McDermott. The Hurricanes needed 28 to win from 17 balls when he departed and completed the job with aplomb to move to 3-0 in BBL|08 after finishing runners-up last summer. Wade is also the leading run-scorer in the four-day Shield competition this season.

The supporting cast: Powerful left-hander Short – the leading run-scorer in BBL|07 – delivered another innings of substance, finishing with 58 from 39 balls in a century opening stand with his skipper. After Sydney Thunder put up 6-193, the Hurricanes’ star duo were watchful early, hitting only five runs off the first two overs of the run chase. From there, they showcased exquisite timing and sublime placement. It took a big mix up to separate Short and Wade as confusion reigned at the start of the 13th over, but the home team was good enough to get the job done. With 26 needed from the last two overs, the experienced George Bailey was ice cool under pressure and took control to finish unbeaten on 23 from 10 deliveries.

The consolation act: Thunder wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler hammered his second consecutive BBL half-century, taking his season tally to 172 runs from three games at an average of 57.33. Buttler backed up his 63 against Sydney Sixers on Christmas Eve with an outstanding knock of 89 from 53 balls at Blundstone Arena, helping the Thunder post 6-193. Buttler powered to 50 from 37 deliveries before accelerating late in an innings which featured eight boundaries and four sixes. The opener registered the highest individual score of BBL|08 so far and his career-best Big Bash score before he was dismissed in the final over of the innings after Hurricanes paceman Jofra Archer clung on to a caught and bowled chance. 

The big moment: With Wade on 72 and the Hurricanes on track for victory, Nathan McAndrew fumbled a golden chance to remove the Hurricanes skipper with four overs remaining in the match. Wade had mistimed a delivery from Jono Cook and picked out McAndrew at long on. But he missed the opportunity on a night to forget for fieldsmen from both sides.

The big over: The match was in the balance with two overs remaining in an enthralling battle. The Thunder’s Daniel Sams was charged with the responsibility of bowling the 19th over and conceded 19 runs from his first four balls and 22 for the over to transform the equation. Bailey helped himself to a six and two boundaries to settle the contest.

The fielding: Bailey quipped “It's like the man flu ... very contagious, dropping catches” late in the Thunder’s innings, but the home side’s fielding display left a lot to be desired. They dropped three chances, with James Faulkner spilling two (including one off his own bowling) and Johan Botha handing Buttler a life when he was on just 12 in the sixth over. While those misses ultimately didn’t cost them victory, their ground fielding also gifted the Thunder runs. 

The next stops: The Hurricanes will be chasing their fourth consecutive win against Perth Scorchers at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Sunday, while the Thunder will be looking to rebound against defending champions Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval on New Year’s Eve.